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Hikvision ColorVu vs Dahua Full Color Night Vision Security Camera Which One is Better

If your business requires a security camera that can capture color footage in low-light environments, you might want to consider Hikvision Colorvu or Dahua full-color security camera models. Both of these cameras are designed to deliver high-quality color night vision even in low light conditions. To determine which camera is best suited to meet your specific business needs, you may want to compare the features and capabilities of Hikvision Colorvu vs Dahua Full-color cameras.

In this article:

Hikvision Colorvu vs Dahua Color full

Hikvision and Dahua are two of the most popular brands in the security camera market, known for their high-quality products and innovative features. Both brands offer a range of security cameras, including models designed for color night vision in low-light environments.

Hikvision Colorvu series is known for its exceptional low-light performance, providing color images even in extreme darkness. This is achieved through the use of advanced sensors and lenses, as well as powerful infrared lighting. Hikvision cameras are also known for their ease of use, with intuitive interfaces and simple installation processes.

Dahua Color full series also provides color images in low-light environments, using similar technology to Hikvision. However, Dahua cameras are known for their advanced analytics capabilities, with features such as facial recognition, object tracking, and perimeter protection. Dahua cameras also offer high-resolution images and flexible installation options.

In terms of popularity, both Hikvision and Dahua are highly regarded in the industry and are widely used by businesses and individuals alike. Hikvision is the world’s largest manufacturer of security cameras, while Dahua is the second-largest. Both brands are known for their reliability, durability, and innovative features, making them top choices for security camera installations.

Ultimately, the choice between Hikvision Colorvu and Dahua Color full will depend on your specific business needs and preferences. It is recommended to compare the features and capabilities of both brands and their respective series to determine which camera model will best suit your needs.

Both vendors are mostly used for business need, for homes you may consider DIY cameras such as Reolink or Annke, or any other DIY cameras. See also DIY Reolink vs Hikvision professional cameras.

Dahua Full-color Cameras

Dahua’s Full-color series includes a range of color night vision security cameras, and the latest addition to this series is the Full-color 2.0 – the second generation with advanced features. The Full-color 2.0 cameras still use white LEDs, but if there is adequate ambient light, the cameras can capture clear and sharp color images without the need for supplementary white light.

Hikvision Full-color 2.0 4k Camera
Hikvision Full-color 2.0 4k Camera

The Full-color 2.0 lineup includes dual lens models that allow you to experience color images without turning on the supplementary white light. Some of these models come with 4K resolution and 1/1.2-inch image sensors, while others feature varifocal or standard fixed lenses. Additionally, some models come with AI technology for AI search using color attributes and AI scheduling based on different time periods. However, to enable these AI features, these cameras must be connected to compatible Dahua 5-I/L NVR series.

We will take Dahua 8MP full-color camera (Dh-Ipc-Hfw5849t1-Ase-Led) and compare it later with one of Hikvision 8MP Colorvu camera.

Hikvision Colorvu

Hikvision’s Colorvu has entered its second generation (G2) and boasts improved performance in capturing colored objects even in low-light environments, thanks to advanced image processing algorithms and built-in lighting. The Colorvu G2 cameras come equipped with 2nd Generation AcuSense technology, which can reduce false alarms in detecting human and vehicle movement with an accuracy of up to 90%.

Moreover, the Colorvu G2 series supports the h.265+ format, offers 3D NR feature for enhanced image quality, and boasts an IP67 water and dust resistant rating on all cameras within the series.

Hikvision Colorvu 4k Turret camera
Hikvision Colorvu 4k Turret camera

We will take one of Hikvision Colorvu lines of products (Hikvision Ds-2cd2387g2-Lu) and compare it with Dahua Dh-Ipc-Hfw5849t1-Ase-Led.

Color Night Vision Camera

What features contributes color night vision?

Wide aperture  

Security cameras that offer color night vision usually come with lenses that have a wide aperture (f/1.0), allowing them to absorb 2.5x more light than those with f/1.6 lenses. Moreover, many security cameras use warm light to illuminate the surroundings, enabling color night vision even in challenging low-light conditions.

Warm light

Besides the wide aperture factor (f/1.0) with the addition of warm light the camera can still provide color live views. Most Hikvision Colorvu and Dahua full-color series cameras use warm light as ambient light to deliver color night vision. Additionally, Dahua’s full-color series cameras come in two types: those without warm light, which feature a wide aperture lens design of f/1.0 or f/1.2, and those with warm light. 

Starlight CMOS image sensor

Nowadays, there are security cameras available that feature a starlight CMOS image sensor, which boasts an incredibly low light sensitivity of between 0.01 lux (in moonlight conditions) and 0.001 lux (in completely dark conditions). Most of these cameras provide color night vision with a minimum illumination of around 0.001 lux (in moonless night conditions). Additionally, when used in conjunction with warm light, these cameras can guarantee optimal color night vision capture.

See also security cameras with floodlight as illuminator for color night vision – see Arlo Pro 3 floodlight.

Comparison table

Let’s see how spec comparison between these two models of color night vision cameras. Table 1 below shows you technical specs between Dahua Dh-Ipc-Hfw5849t1-Ase-Led and Hikvision Ds-2cd2387g2-Lu.

4k Resolution

Both of these two series, either Hikvision or Dahua are the second generation of their flagship in color night vision, 4k resolution using the same size of image sensor and minimum illumination is 0.0005lux you still get color vision. They will switch to black and white night vision when the illumination drops up to 0lux. To keep the camera capture color vision, they need to enable their built-in white lights.

Illuminator

In terms of illuminators, both the Hikvision Colorvu and Dahua full-color series are equipped with configurable illuminators that contain both IR and white light. While other color night vision cameras may also have IR light for black and white night vision, these models provide additional options. For example, the Hikvision Colorvu allows users to choose from three different illuminator modes, including the day mode that always provides color images.

The second option is Night Mode, which provides color night vision when there is still some ambient light available, and black and white night vision when the ambient light drops to 0 lux. During live view, the camera will automatically turn on the illuminator to render color live view. The third option is Auto Mode, which switches between Day Mode and Night Mode automatically based on ambient light conditions.

In addition to these three options, both Hikvision Colorvu and Dahua Full-color cameras allow you to schedule when the illuminator turns on during the night for full color night vision, with a range of start and finish periods available.

Regarding illuminators, both Hikvision Colorvu and Dahua Full-color offer similar options. Dahua provides three options for the built-in illuminators: IR Mode, White Light, and Soft Light. You can configure this from Select > Camera > Image > Illuminator.

When you select the IR mode, the illuminator is disabled. In White light mode, the illuminator is enabled and IR illuminator is disabled. And the last option is Soft Light mode which both IR and white light illuminators are enabled. 

WDR

Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) is a feature in security cameras that allows them to capture images with high detail in scenes that have both bright and dark areas.

Dahua’s 140dBi WDR feature means that the camera can capture a greater range of luminance levels in a scene, up to 140 decibels of dynamic range. This allows the camera to capture more detail in high-contrast scenes, such as a brightly lit area with shadows.

Hikvision’s 130dBi WDR feature means that the camera can capture up to 130 decibels of dynamic range. While it is not as high as Dahua’s 140dBi WDR, it still provides a significant improvement over cameras without WDR. The Hikvision camera can capture more detail in scenes with bright and dark areas, but may not be able to capture as much detail in extremely high-contrast scenes as the Dahua camera.

Overall, both cameras offer advanced WDR features that allow them to capture high-quality images in challenging lighting conditions, but the Dahua camera has a slight edge in terms of dynamic range.

Smart Feature-set

Both Hikvision ColorVu and Dahua full-color series cameras offer a range of basic and smart features that enhance their capabilities as security cameras.

Some of the basic features include motion detection, night vision, and remote viewing through a mobile app. Both series also support ONVIF compliance, which means they can be integrated with other third-party systems and devices.

In terms of smart features, both series offer advanced detection capabilities powered by deep learning algorithms. For example, they can detect and recognize human faces, which can be useful in identifying potential intruders.

They also offer tripwire intrusion detection, which can trigger an alert when a person or object crosses a defined virtual line. This can be useful in securing perimeters or monitoring sensitive areas.

Line crossing detection is another feature that can be used to detect and trigger an alert when an object or person crosses a virtual line.

Both Hikvision ColorVu and Dahua full-color series cameras offer a range of alert types, such as email notification, alarm output, and voice alert. This allows for customization and flexibility in how alerts are received and acted upon.

Overall, the combination of basic and smart features in both Hikvision ColorVu and Dahua full-color series cameras make them powerful tools for surveillance and security purposes.

Take a look more details on the following spec comparison table 1 below.

Table 1 Dahua full-color vs Hikvision Colorvu

ModelDahua DH-IPC-HFW5849T1-ASE-LEDHikvision DS-2CD2387G2-LU
Image sensor1/1.2″ CMOS1/1.2″ progressive scan CMOS
Minimum illumination0.0005Lux @F1.0Color:0.0005 Lux @ (F1.0, AGC ON),
0 Lux with white light
Lens 2.8mm; 3.6mm / Max. Aperture / f1.0Fixed focal lens, 2.8 and 4 mm optional
Field of view angle2.8 mm: H 112° x V 61° x D 131° 3.6 mm: H 91° x V 50° x D 106°2.8 mm, HFOV 102°, VFOV 52°, DFOV 124° 4 mm,
HFOV 88°, VFOV 47°, DFOV 104°
Illuminator4(Warm light) Illuminator On/Off Control: Auto/ManualWhite light; range up to 30m with smart supplement light;
Auto / manual illuminators on off control
OnvifONVIF( Profile S/Profile G/Profile T); CGI; Milestone; P2POnvif (Profile S, Profile G, Profile T), ISAPI, SDK , ISUP
AudioInput: 1 Channel RCA port Output: 1channel RCA portTwo way audio with built-in microphone and speaker
Alarm1 channel Input; 1 channel out1 x input; 1x output
WDR140dB130 dB
Noise reduction3D NR3D NR
StorageFTP; SFTP; Micro SD card (support max. 256 G); NASBuilt-in memory card slot, support micro SD /
micro SDHC/ micro SDXC / TF card, up to 256 GB
Smart featuresIVS: Abandoned object; missing object; IVS Perimeter protection; Face detection; People counting; Heat Map; Intelligent searchBasic event: Motion detection triggered by
human or vehicle, video tampering alarm, exception (network disconnected, IP address conflict, illegal login,
HDD full, HDD error)
Smart event: Face detection;
Line crossing detection, intrusion detection, region entrance detection, region exiting detection, scene change detection
IP ratedIP67 weatherproofIP67 with metal body and cover
Power12 VDC (±30%)/ PoE (802.3af)/ ePoE12 VDC ± 25%, 0.63 A, max. 8.5 W, Ø5.5 mm coaxial power plug, reverse polarity protection PoE: 802.3af, Class 3, 36 V to 57 V, 0.24 A to 0.15 A
Dimension288.4 mm x 94.4 mm x 84.7 mm / (11.4″ x 3.7″ x 3.3″) (L x W x H)Ø 138.3 mm x 120.1 mm (Ø5.4″ x 4.7″)
Weight1.15 kg (2.5 lb)Approx. 900 g (2 lb.)
Price in Amazon (Mar 2023)  $210.00N/A

Both Hikvision colorvu and Dahua full-color are rarely available in market, however the OEM models are available from other vendors. If you are lucky Hikvision products are available with limited stock in Amazon. Click the product’s link below to learn more details Hikvision 4k Colorvu product in Amazon (#ads).

 Click here to SHOP Hikvision 4k ColorVu

Or you may like similar products offered by Empire Tech, Click here for EmpireTech Bullet color Night vision, excellent performance with excellent customer rating.

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